The emotional reason new radicals are happening at Joe Biden’s inauguration

The New Radicals are reuniting on opening day for a very special performance – a performance that has an emotional connection to Joe Biden’s late son Beau.

While first gentleman Doug Emhoff chose it as his passing song during the 2020 presidential campaign, the single also has a very sincere connection to the new president.

In Biden’s 2017 autobiography “Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose”, about the loss of his son Beau to brain cancer, he wrote that “You Get What You Give “became a rallying call for her son during his battle. .

“Over breakfast Beau would often give me what I thought was his theme song, ‘You Get What You Give’ by the New Radicals,” Biden wrote. “Even though Beau never stopped fighting and his will to live was stronger than most – I think he knew that day might come. The words of the song are, ‘This fucking world may fall apart. You will be fine, follow your heart. ‘”

Frontman Gregg Alexander told Rolling Stone that “if there’s one thing on Earth that could get us to reunite the band, if only for a day, it’s the hope that our song can even be the smallest beacon of light in such a dark time. “

“To listen to the song again after such a long time is a huge honor as we all have a deep respect for Beau’s military service and so high hopes for unity and normalcy Joe and Kamala will bring our country back to this time of crisis.” Alexander added. .

“America knows in its heart that things are going to be bright again with a new administration and a real vaccine plan underway. That’s the message of the song … this world is going to be successful.”

The New Radicals were a huge success with the release of “You Get What You Give” in 1998 and found some success with their next single, “Someday We Know”. The group, however, disbanded even before the second single was officially released. Alexander continued to make music for other artists – including “The Game of Love” by Santana and Michelle Branch – before he and keyboardist Danielle Brisebois were nominated at the Oscars in 2015 for their song “Lost Stars” by “Begin Again”.

The group will perform as part of the virtual Parade Across America event, which will follow Biden’s swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. Others appearing at the event include Jon Stewart, Andra Day, Earth, Wind & Fire and viral skateboarder DoggFace.